This week on The IX Sports Podcast Hocket Edition, host Maya Smith and guest host Alyssa Turner kick things off by discussing the announcement this week from the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) that outside investors have entered the scene.
Kilmer Sports Ventures and Ilitch Companies have both invested in the PWHL, with the investments being upwards of $100 million. Kilmer is the owner of the Women’s National Basketball Association’s Toronto Tempo. Ilitch is a big name for sports business in Detroit.
But these investments aren’t coming with increases to player salaries, Smith said, because the PWHL isn’t yet turning a profit.
“I’m not at all shocked that the league is not making a profit. It’s very common if you look into not only other women’s sports leagues, but if you like go into the history of men’s sports leagues, like if you want to take like a bit of a more recent one, you could look into the National Lacrosse League. If you look into their finances and stuff, that’s all pretty common,” Turner explained.
The pair then discuss some new free agency developments. Blayre Turnbull of the Toronto Sceptres announced her pregnancy this week. She is the first PWHL player to go on maternity leave. She will miss at least some of the beginning of the season.
“It’s really great, and, and like, kudos to Blair for being willing to pave this road as well for the people who come next,” Smith said. “And I think it’s going to be, it’s a loss to [the Sceptres] on and off the ice … now if you’re Gina Kingsbury, what decisions are you making to fill this.”
The Sceptres are also losing Emma Maltais, who just signed with the Montreal Victoire.
“Emma Maltais is going to look amazing in Victoire colors and lifting the Walter Cup next season as well, because it’s just hard to bet against them at this point,” Smith said.
Tune in to hear more takes from Turner and Smith about the latest developments across the PWHL.
Make sure to subscribe to The IX Sports Podcast for in-depth coverage of women’s soccer, hockey and basketball; and tune in each weekday morning for a quick overview of the biggest headlines on Women’s Sports Daily, like WNBA news and PWHL expansion updates.
What you missed on Women’s Sports Daily: Inside Brittney Griner’s new blocks record, and a look at the WPBL
